Adjustable beverage holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for supporting an object in a vehicle includes a first support member. A second support member is movably mounted on the first support member about an axis. Each of a plurality of adjusting members define a contact surface for laterally supporting an object and has a first end movably connected to the first support member and a second end movably connected to the second support member. The adjusting members are substantially coplanar and transverse to the axis. Movement of the second support member relative to the first support member causes the adjusting member to move relative to both the first and the second support members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a holder for supporting an object. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a beverage holder for supportinga beverage container in a vehicle.

Vehicle interiors typically include a variety of decorative andfunctional trim panels. For example, the front area of the interior of avehicle, generally referred to as the cockpit area, includes aninstrument panel, typically formed of a molded plastic material.Vehicles also may include a center console located between the driverand passenger seats for storage and placement of various articles. Theinstrument panel and/or center console can include a variety of devicesfor holding beverage containers, typically known as cup holders. Knowncup holders typically are adapted to hold known beverage containers,such as cans, cups, and bottles. However, known cup holders generallycan be used for only a limited number of sizes of containers. It wouldbe advantageous if there could be developed an improved beverage holderfor supporting a greater number of beverage container sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holder for supporting an object in avehicle. The holder includes a first support member. A second supportmember is movably mounted on the first support member about an axis.Each of a plurality of adjusting members define a contact surface forlaterally supporting an object and has a first end movably connected tothe first support member and a second end movably connected to thesecond support member. The adjusting members are substantially coplanarand transverse to the axis. Movement of the second support memberrelative to the first support member causes the adjusting member to moverelative to both the first and the second support members.

Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following detailed description of the invention,when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the beverage holder according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the beverage holder illustrated in FIG. 1,showing the holder in a first position.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the beverage holder illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, showing the holder in a second position.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of a beverage holderaccording to the invention, showing the holder in the first position.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the beverage holder illustrated in FIG. 4,showing the holder in a second position.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged bottom view of the mounting boss illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofthe rim.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view, taken along line 8-8 of FIG.1.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the substrate and buttonillustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a beverage holder for supporting a beveragecontainer according to the invention is illustrated generally at 10. Theholder 10 includes a first support member or substrate 12 adapted to bemounted within a vehicle, such as an automobile, a boat, or an airplane.The substrate 12 may be of any desired type and located at any desiredposition in the vehicle. Preferably, the substrate 12 is mounted withinan opening in a portion of the vehicle, such as a trim panel, a console,or an instrument panel. The substrate 12 may be attached to the vehicleby any desired means, such as threaded fasteners, by welding, or withadhesive. Alternately, the substrate 12 may be mounted in a drawer-typebeverage holder. It will be appreciated that the substrate 12 can alsobe attached to any portion of a vehicle where a beverage holder isdesired.

The substrate 12 includes an ornamental or decorative substrate surface14 and a substrate underside 16. As best shown in FIG. 7, asubstantially cylindrical flange 18 extends upwardly from the decorativesurface 14 and includes an inner flange surface 18A and an outer flangesurface 18B. The inner flange surface 18A defines a substantiallycylindrical substrate opening 20. A circumferential first lip 22 extendsradially inward from an upper end (as viewed in FIG. 7) of the flange18. A ratchet aperture 24 is formed in a portion of the flange 18, asbest shown in FIG. 9. Preferably, the substrate opening 20 issubstantially cylindrical in shape, although such is not required. Thesubstrate opening 20 can also have any desired shape.

A plurality of bosses or posts 26 extend outwardly (downwardly as viewedin FIG. 6) of the substrate underside 16. The posts 26 are shown asbeing substantially cylindrical in shape, however such a substantiallycylindrical shape is not required. The posts 26 can also be formedhaving any other desired shape. A button aperture 28 is formed in thesubstrate 12 adjacent the ratchet aperture 24 of the flange 18. Thesubstrate 12 can be formed from any desired substantially rigidmaterial, such as plastic. Polypropylene, nylon, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), and polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PCABS)are preferred materials for the substrate 12 because of their strengthand rigidity. Preferably, the posts 26 are integrally formed with thesubstrate 12, although such integral formation in not required. Theposts 26 can be attached to the substrate 12 by any desired means, suchas welding, threaded fasteners, or an adhesive.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, a substantially annular second supportmember or rim 30 is disposed about the opening of the substrate 12. Therim 30 includes an ornamental or decorative rim surface 32 and a rimunderside 34. An inner rim surface 35 of an inner wall 50 defines asubstantially cylindrical rim opening 36.

A first circumferential groove 38 is formed in the rim underside 34 andincludes an outer wall 40 and a middle wall 42. A plurality of firstratchet teeth 44 extend inwardly from the outer wall 40. A first portion46A of a circumferentially and radially inwardly extending channel 46 isformed in the middle wall 42. A second circumferential groove 48 isformed in the rim underside 34 inboard of the first circumferentialgroove 38 between the middle wall 42 and the inner wall 50. A pluralityof rim apertures 52 is formed in the inner wall 50 between the rimopening 36 and the second circumferential groove 48. The purpose of therim apertures 52 will be described herein.

A substantially annular rim retainer 54 is disposed in the secondcircumferential groove 48. The retainer 54 includes a radially outwardlyextending circumferential second lip 56. A second portion 46B of thecircumferentially and radially inwardly extending channel 46 is formedin the second lip 56. Preferably, the retainer 54 attached within thesecond circumferential groove 48 with a snap fit. It will be appreciatedhowever, that the retainer 54 can be attached within the secondcircumferential groove 48 by any desired means, such as with anadhesive. The retainer 54 can be formed from any desired substantiallyrigid material, such as plastic or metal. Polypropylene, nylon,polystyrene, and spring steel are preferred materials for the rim 30because of their strength and rigidity.

Preferably, the rim 30 is mounted about the substrate opening 20 of thesubstrate 12 with a snap fit such that the first lip 22 is seated withinthe channel 46. As will be described herein, the rim 30 is preferablyrotatably mounted to the substrate 12 about an axis A. Although the rimopening 36 has been described and shown in the figures as beingcylindrically shaped, it will be appreciated that the rim opening 36 canbe of any desired shape. The rim 30 can be formed from any desiredsubstantially rigid material, such as plastic. Polypropylene, nylon,ABS, and PCABS are preferred materials for the rim 30 because of theirstrength and rigidity. Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment ofthe rim is illustrated generally at 30′. As shown in FIG. 7, the middlewall 42′ can be formed having the entire channel 46′ formed therein,thereby eliminating the need for the retainer 54.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a locking mechanism or ratchet assembly 58includes a housing 60 attached to the substrate underside 16, a firstbiasing member 62, and a latch portion 64. The latch portion 64 includesa body 66, an upwardly extending button 68, an upwardly extending toothportion 70 having a plurality of second ratchet teeth 72. The latchportion 64 is disposed within the housing 60 such that the button 68extends upwardly through the button aperture 28. The tooth portion 70extends upwardly adjacent the first ratchet teeth 44 of the rim 30. Thefirst biasing member 62 urges the latch portion 64 away from the rim 30such that the second ratchet teeth 72 engage the first ratchet teeth 44,as best shown in FIG. 2. When the second ratchet teeth 72 are so engagedwith the first ratchet teeth 44, the rim 30 cannot move relative to thesubstrate 12, thereby defining a first locked position, such as shown inFIG. 2. The first biasing member 62 can be any desired type of biasingmember, such as a spring. Preferably, the first biasing member 62 is acompression spring, as shown in FIG. 8.

A substantially annular second biasing member 74 is disposed about theposts 26. The second biasing member 74 can be formed of any desiredmaterial. A plurality of radially inwardly oriented indentations 76 areformed in the second biasing member 74. A spring aperture 78, best shownin FIG. 6, is formed in each indentation 76, the purpose of which willbe described herein. Preferably, the second biasing member 74 is a flatspring formed of spring steel within the range of from about 0.020inches to about 0.040 inches thick. More preferably, the second biasingmember 74 is a flat spring defining a substantially circular shape. Anyother desired biasing member, such as an elastomeric member, or aplurality of biasing members, such as coil springs, can also be used. Ifdesired, attachment means can be provided to attach the second biasingmember 74 to the substrate 12. Preferably, the second biasing member 74is attached to the posts 26. For example, the second biasing member 74can be attached to the posts 26 by a rivet 75. If desired, any otherattachment means, such as threaded fasteners, can be used. Although thesecond biasing member 74 is illustrated as being attached by one rivet75 at one post 26, it will be appreciated that second biasing member 74can be attached by any desired number of rivets 75 at any desired numberof posts 26.

Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of adjusting members 80 extend betweenthe second biasing member 74 and the rim 30. Each adjusting member 80includes a substantially elongated body 82, an inboard end 82A, and anoutboard end 82B. The body 82 defines a contact surface 82C. The ends82A and 82B include substantially spherical portions 84A and 84B,respectively. Preferably, the inboard spherical portion 84A has adiameter larger than the rim apertures 52 and outboard spherical portion84B has a diameter larger than the spring apertures 78.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the outboard end 82B extends through the springaperture 78 such that the outboard spherical portion 84B is outboard ofthe spring aperture 78. The inboard end 82A extends through the rimaperture 52 such that the inboard spherical portion 84A is disposed inthe second circumferential groove 48. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the second biasing member 74 biases the adjusting members 80 outward ofthe rim 30 and toward the second biasing member 74.

Preferably, the adjusting members 80 are substantially coplanar andtransverse relative to the axis A. As used herein, substantiallycoplanar is defined as lying in substantially the same plane. Morepreferably, substantially coplanar is defined as the ends 82A and 82B ofthe adjusting member 80 lying in substantially the same plane.Substantially coplanar further includes overlapping adjusting members 80wherein the bodies 82 of adjacent adjusting members 80 contact oneanother and are thereby caused to slightly deflect or bend. Further, itwill be appreciated that the overlapping adjusting members 80 aresubstantially coplanar, even when slightly deflected or bent. Transverseis defined as disposed at about a 90 degree angle relative to the axisA. Each adjusting member 80 is shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 as overlappingan adjacent adjusting member 80. However, such overlapping is notrequired, and the adjusting members 80 can be disposed such thatadjacent adjusting members 80 do not overlap.

The contact surfaces 82C of the adjusting members 80 define a containeropening 86 having a first circumferential size or diameter C1 orreceiving and laterally supporting an object, such as a first beveragecontainer (such as shown by a phantom line 87 in FIG. 2). The adjustingmembers 80 can be made of any desired substantially flexible material,such as braided metal cable or an elastomer. Any other desiredsubstantially flexible metals and non-metals can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the holder 10 includes a lower platform 88 forhorizontally supporting a lower portion of an object, such as thecontainer 87 which is laterally supported within the container opening86.

An alternate embodiment of the holder is generally illustrated at 10 ′in FIGS. 4 and 5. The holder 10′ is substantially identical to theholder 10, except that the biasing member 74 is not provided and analternate embodiment of an adjusting member 90 is provided. A pluralityof mounting bosses 92 extend outwardly of the substrate underside 16. Amounting aperture 94 is formed through each mounting boss 92.Preferably, the outboard spherical portion 84B of the adjusting member90 has a diameter larger than the mounting apertures 94. It will beappreciated that the mounting bosses 92 can be any desired shape.Preferably, the mounting bosses 92 are integrally formed with thesubstrate 12, although such integral formation in not required. Themounting bosses 92 can be attached to the substrate 12 by any desiredmeans, such as welding, threaded fasteners, or an adhesive.

A plurality of adjusting members 90 extend between the mounting bosses92 and the rim 30. Each adjusting member 90 includes a substantiallyelongated body 82′, an inboard end 82A′, and an outboard end 82B′. Thebody 82′ defines a contact surface 82C′. The ends 82A′ and 82B′ includesubstantially spherical portions 84A′ and 84B′, respectively.Preferably, the inboard spherical portion 84A′ has a diameter largerthan the rim apertures 52 and outboard spherical portion 84B′ has adiameter larger than the mounting apertures 94.

The contact surfaces 82C′ of the adjusting members 90 define a containeropening 86′ having a first circumferential size or diameter C1′ forreceiving and laterally supporting an object, such as the beveragecontainer shown by a phantom line 87′ in FIG. 4. The adjusting member 90can be made of any desired substantially rigid material, such as metalcable or substantially rigid plastic. Any other desired substantiallyrigid metals and non-metals can also be used.

If desired, the adjusting members 90 can be formed from a substantiallyelongatable material. As used herein, elongatable is defined as beingdeformable or extendable lengthwise. For example, rubber or otherelastomers can be used.

In operation, a vehicle occupant applies a radially inward force to thebutton 68 (in the direction of an arrow 98, such as shown in FIG. 8), soas to urge the second ratchet teeth 72 away from the first ratchet teeth44. The vehicle occupant can then move the rim 30 in one of a clockwiseor a counterclockwise direction. For example, when the rim 30 of theholder 10 shown in FIG. 2 is moved in a clockwise direction (as viewedin FIG. 2), the contact surfaces 82C of the adjusting members 80 aremoved radially inward, as shown in FIG. 3. As used herein, the phrase“radially inward” is defined as moving toward the axis A. The phrase“radially outward” is defined as moving away from the axis A.

The clockwise rotation of the rim 30 causes the inboard ends 82A of theadjusting members 80 to move along a circumferential path (as shown byan arrow 99 in FIG. 2) from a first position as shown in FIG. 2 to asecond locked position as shown in FIG. 3. As the adjusting members 80move, the second biasing member 74 is caused to move radially inward, asshown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the rim 30 is rotatably mounted to thesubstrate 12 about the axis A, such that when the rim 30 is rotated in afirst direction (counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3), thecontact surfaces 82C of the adjusting members 80 move radially outwardaway from the axis A.

When the vehicle occupant has rotated the rim 30 to a desired position,the button 68 is released, causing the first biasing member 62 to urgethe second ratchet teeth 72 into engagement with the first ratchet teeth44, thereby defining the second locked position. Preferably, the rim 30is movable between a plurality of locked positions. The first lockedposition shown in FIG. 2, and the second locked position as shown inFIG. 3, are two examples of the plurality of locked positions.

When the rim 30 is in the second locked position, the contact surfaces82C of the adjusting members 80 define a container opening 100 having asecond circumferential size or diameter C2 for receiving and laterallysupporting an object, such as a second beverage container shown by aphantom line 102 in FIG. 3.

Similarly, the vehicle occupant can again apply a radially inward forceto the button 68 so as to urge the second ratchet teeth 72 away from thefirst ratchet teeth 44. The vehicle occupant can then move the rim 30 ina counterclockwise direction. For example, when the rim 30 of the holder10 shown in FIG. 3 is moved in a counterclockwise direction (as viewedin FIG. 3), the contact surfaces 82C of the adjusting members 80 aremoved radially outward, as shown in FIG. 2.

The counterclockwise rotation of the rim 30 causes the inboard ends 82Aof the adjusting members 80 to move along a circumferential path (asshown by the arrow 99 in FIG. 2) from the second position as shown inFIG. 3 to the first position as shown in FIG. 2. As the rim 30 isrotated, the second biasing member 74 urges the outboard ends 82B of theadjusting members 80 radially outward, as shown in FIG. 2.

When the vehicle occupant has rotated the rim 30 to a desired position,the button 68 is released, causing the first biasing member 62 to urgethe second ratchet teeth 72 into engagement with the first ratchet teeth44, thereby defining the first locked position, as best shown in FIG. 2.

The operation of the embodiment of the holder 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5 is similar to the operation of the holder 10. In the first lockedposition as shown in FIG. 4, the outboard ends 82B′ of the adjustingmembers 96 extend outward of the mounting bosses 92.

The vehicle occupant can move the rim 30 in a clockwise direction. Forexample, when the rim 30 of the holder 10′ shown in FIG. 4 is moved in aclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 4), the contact surfaces 82C′ ofthe adjusting members 90 are moved radially inward, as shown in FIG. 5.The clockwise rotation of the rim 30 causes the inboard ends 82A′ of theadjusting members 90 to move along a circumferential path (as shown bythe arrow 99′ in FIG. 4) from a first position as shown in FIG. 4 to asecond position as shown in FIG. 5. As the adjusting members 90 move,the outboard ends 82B′ are caused to slide within the mounting apertures94 of the mounting bosses 92 until the outboard spherical portion 84B′engages the mounting boss 92.

When the rim 30 is in the second locked position, the contact surfaces82C′ of the adjusting members 90 define a container opening 100′ havinga second circumferential size or diameter C2′ for receiving andlaterally supporting an object, such as the beverage container shown bya phantom line 103 in FIG. 5.

In operation, the holder 10, 10′ can support objects having a variety ofdiameters, and a variety of circumferential shapes and sizes. An object,such as the container 87, 87′, 102, 103 for example, can be insertedinto the container opening 86, 86′, 100, and 100′ such that a lowerportion of the container 87, 87′, 102, 103 is supported by the lowerplatform 88, as shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, inclusive. Preferably, aportion of an outer surface 87A, 87A′, 102A, 103A of the container 87,87′, 102, 103 contacts, and is laterally supported by, the contactsurfaces 82C, 82C′ of the adjusting members 80, 90.

Although the holder 10, 10′ has been described as movable between aplurality of locked positions by means of the ratchet assembly 58, theratchet assembly 58 is not required. For example, if desired, the rim 30can be mounted in frictional engagement with the substrate 12. Arotational force exerted on the rim 30 in either the clockwise orcounterclockwise direction causes the rim 30 to slide against thesubstrate 12 between a plurality of frictionally engaged or lockedpositions.

One advantage of the invention is that the adjusting members 80, 90 canbe adjusted to define any desired circumferential size, such ascircumferential sizes C1 and C2, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,respectively. When an object, such as the container 87, 102, has adiameter or circumferential size smaller than the rim opening 36, theadjusting members 80, 90 can be moved so as to define a containeropening 86, 100 wherein at least one of the contact surfaces 82C, 82C′contacts and supports the object, regardless of the shape of the object.

Another advantage of the invention is when an object having acircumferential size, or diameter C2 slightly larger than the containeropening, such as the container opening 100, the substantially flexibleadjusting members 80 are caused to deflect radially outward, as bestshown in FIG. 3. Such deflection of the adjusting members 80 allowscontainers of more than one diameter or circumferential size to besupported within any one container opening, such as the containeropening 100.

Another advantage of the invention is that objects having irregularcircumferential shapes can also be easily and conveniently supportedwithin the container opening 86, 100. Such objects can include an objecthaving substantially rectangular circumferential cross section, such asa conventional cellular telephone, or a beverage box. The object, suchas a beverage box, can contact any one of or all of the adjustingmembers 80, 90.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have beendescribed in its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted thatthis invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallyillustrated and described without departing from its scope.

1. A holder for supporting an object in a vehicle, the holdercomprising: a first support member; a second support member movablymounted on said first support member about an axis; and a plurality ofadjusting members, each adjusting member defining a contact surface forlaterally supporting an object, each said adjusting member having afirst end movably connected to said first support member and a secondend movably connected to said second support member, wherein saidadjusting members are substantially coplanar and transverse to saidaxis, and wherein movement of said second support member relative tosaid first support member causes said adjusting members to move relativeto said first and said second support members.
 2. The holder accordingto claim 1, wherein said holder further includes a locking mechanism forlocking said second support member relative to said first supportmember.
 3. The holder according to claim 2, wherein the second supportmember is moveable between a plurality of locked positions.
 4. Theholder according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism is a ratchetassembly.
 5. The holder according to claim 1, wherein said secondsupport member frictionally engages said first support member.
 6. Theholder according to claim 1, wherein said second support member isrotatably mounted on the first support member.
 7. The holder accordingto claim 1, wherein said second support member is rotatably mounted onsaid first support member about said axis, such that when said secondsupport member is rotated in a first direction, the contact surfaces ofsaid adjusting members move radially outward away from said axis, andwhen said second support member is rotated in a second directionopposite the first direction, the contact surfaces of said adjustingmembers move radially inward toward said axis.
 8. The holder accordingto claim 7, wherein said second support surface includes a first openinghaving a first circumferential size, and wherein the contact surfaces ofsaid adjusting members define a second opening, such that when saidsecond support member is rotated in the first direction, said secondopening has a second circumferential size, and when said second supportmember is rotated in the second direction, said second opening has athird circumferential size smaller than said second circumferentialsize.
 9. The holder according to claim 1, wherein one of said first andsecond ends of each said adjusting member is pivotally connected to saidrespective first and second support members.
 10. The holder according toclaim 9, wherein said one of said first and second ends of each saidadjusting member is further slidably connected to said respective firstand second support members.
 11. The holder according to claim 1, whereinsaid first end of each said adjusting member is pivotally connected toone of said first and second support members, and wherein said secondend of each said adjusting member is pivotally and slidably connected tothe other one of said first and second support members.
 12. The holderaccording to claim 1, wherein said holder further includes a biasingmember disposed between said first support member and said adjustingmembers.
 13. The holder according to claim 12, wherein the first end ofeach said adjusting member is movably connected to said biasing member.14. The holder according to claim 13, wherein said first end of eachsaid adjusting member is pivotally and slidably connected to saidbiasing member.
 15. The holder according to claim 12, wherein saidbiasing member is a spring.
 16. The holder according to claim 12,wherein said biasing member defines a substantially circular shape, andwherein one of said first and second ends of each said adjusting memberis connected to said biasing member.
 17. The holder according to claim16, wherein said one of said first and second ends of each saidadjusting member is movably connected to said biasing member.
 18. Theholder according to claim 1, wherein said holder further includes alower platform for horizontally supporting a lower portion of saidobject laterally supported by said contact surface of each saidadjusting member.
 19. The holder according to claim 1, wherein saidadjusting member is substantially flexible.
 20. The holder according toclaim 1, wherein said adjusting member is substantially elongatable.